Takes up most of the day..
There is no snow.. unseasonably beautiful fall..but as you know days are shorter with the time change..So the fairy lights are de rigueur.The tree doesn't bother me up early and down late..I don't have rooms aplenty decorated.. just this and a few small touches here and there..so its not overwhelming.
Canada post is on strike.. not sure things will be mailed out in time for Christmas and that's not a good thing..Cards..little things to be sent..
OY..
I did make something you all might thoroughly enjoy..
It is called a Courting Cake.. part cake part scone..more scone to me ..YAY..J gave it a 10.. me too..I did add a touch of vanilla sugar..I love that.
You can find the recipe here..
Keeper.
PS.The cake is exactly as it should be.. no soggy bottom ..not burnt..not crumbly.When you cut into it with that jam filling it's perfect.I'm specifying this for the two very nasty comments that were posted about the creator and the cake.You're on the naughty list.Forever and a day.
The creator is young,bubbly,beautiful and smart.Oh so charming.
We have been busy doing this and that..
And I still paint;)
I still prefer them with bylines:) Stories.. I can't tell you how many people live in my craft room..Hundreds..and other artworks also.
I did not paint this week and miss it:)
Have a good rest of week and weekend..
Its always so lovely visiting, I leave with a broad smile, love any and all that you share, such a blessed life.
ReplyDeleteYou should give yourself a Christmas gift and rejoin what brought you joy..:)Thank you.
DeleteSuch lucky visitors in your craft room ! 🌬
ReplyDelete:) All watercolors:) My Littles used to love it!I miss that ..a lot.I was so zen there with them crafting.Heavenly.
DeleteI'm so enjoying your paintings, and I might try that cake. I'm in Paris for the week - a writing seminar, no time to paint even though I brought my paints with me!
ReplyDeleteIt's the perfect scone cake:) As she says..it's perfect;)Thank you!
DeleteAh Monique, what a needed respite this post has provided. It's 5 a.m. at my house and the littles are coming at 7:30. I'm the teeniest bit jealous of you--having your home decorated for Christmas. I have been putting away the fall decor, little by little, and hope to put out a few Christmas things in the next few days. Seeing all your paintings and knowing you have a troupe of those marvelous characters living with you in your craft room, makes me smile. They're a great lot! As for the Courting Cake, I think it looks delicious. I adore that young woman (can't think of her name) who shared the recipe. What a terrible time to be without mail service! Hopefully, they can resolve their issues and be back up and running for Christmas. Enjoy these blessed days, Monique!
ReplyDeleteMy that poster must be so miserable my husband said..I told him before I deleted the two nasty comments.LOL..Some people need to get a nicer life.I did hardly anything for fall..so this was easy..It's dark..rainy and moody today..the fairy lights a comfort.Have fn..oh lol 7.30 and we have to be cheery:)The sleepovers were so much fun too.I hardly slept just felt like I was again in heaven with them beside me:)
DeleteThe cake looks lovely, I shall check it out. I don’t I understand these mean people who leave awful comments.most are anonymous hiding behind their screens. Your paintings are so fun and whimsical. Wes have lots of rain, which is a good thing. Happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteHi:) First of all the poster has no manners..was not brought up properly..And to attack the person creating the recipe..is so nasty..such a bully..the words were hurtful.I am happy we have toe power to delete comments forever.Just wish I could block her.Yes rain is GOOD for you:) Enjoy everything Linda.. you deserve it:)
DeleteGOSH!! I'm about to have a weepy moment for the "I still paint" and what it must mean to be able to think a thought and draw a line around it and "VOILA!!" What a special, mystical thing to me, and I'm simply verklempt with your talent and the sight of those lovely, disparate, beautiful folks walking through life, lively as crickets, because of your golden fingers. I want to name them, and know them, and the stories about each and every one are making me laugh/cry all at once, this cold melty day.
ReplyDeleteI know their thoughts and what they are planning for lunch and how much they liked that TV show last night, and did they leave that umbrella at the store or the park? The knees that creak, the hand that shakes, the secrecy of that pack of Depends in a drawer, along with the lively banter and the sumptuous enjoyment of a scone---such rich, enticing moments to share and live and enjoy.
And I've not forgotten your SO generous, sweet unexpected offer. The trenchcoat lady in your sidebar is a perfect replica of me on a particular day in the far past, with a white, black-collared dress and strap sandals, With a tiny not-hip-high three-year-old girl in a blue dress holding my right hand, with her small nape showing the part in her dark hair, her two small pigtails lying forward over her shoulders, and wee sandals of her own. The entire memory is based on a single, stem-leaning limp flower in her right hand, plucked from her Great-Grandpa's funeral blanket, and wilting from the warmth of her small fist.
"What's wrong with my flower?" she asked. "It's wilty, Baby---it's a very hot day---are you hot?" "No, " she replied; "I'm OLD." Taking into account she had always been our little "Fairy Girl," with such sweet little quirks of voice and our even speaking of her as an "old soul," in fond mentioning, I asked "How old ARE you, Baby?" A little damp sigh, "SIIIIXX."
That's the memory, and I'll never forget that July day in 2007. And though she's a magical, mysterious creature in deep purples and blacks now, with an aura and mystique of other worlds, somehow I've always pictured us exactly as we walked away from that sun-drenched afternoon. And I ever there could be a Nana picture of anything in my life, that would be the one.
I forgot to add the graying bun atop my own head---same hairdo since I was in college.
DeleteRachel you never ever stop impressing me with your words..You are a star.I do give names to my people on IG..Occupations..relationships.. tragedies.. happy things..It's a part I love:)I'm old:) Out of the mouths of babes.Time flies so fast IMHO.I look at photos of my grandsons.. and they are men now..My daughters send me past photos and I think we all cry a little inside as o what has been and will never be again...I mean it..if you can send me a back shot:) I am in:)Have a lovely weekend:)
DeleteThe Nasty One is still posting, even though you delete? I don't see the comments so you must have already removed them. I hope she/he knows you are among friends which must make this person so terribly miserable. I wish they would go and spew hatred elsewhere or get a life and be nice! Even Ebenezer Scroorge was able to turn his life around. LOL.
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrible time to have a postal strike. OY! I LOVE your Santa painting and the Courting Cake looks like a must try. I wish she was on IG. I don't look at Tik Tok, ever...Except when a recommended recipe is involved ♥ All your lovely works would make a lovely book!
I am going to start on my tree this weekend, hopefully. I want to turn it on the day after our Thanksgiving. I did get all the outside lights done on Tuesday and Wednesday knowing it was turning cccccold. We did get 2-3 inches of snow yesterday morning but it has melted already! The lights do brighten and bring cheer when the nights come so early.
The comments were awful.. and she comments on commenters:( I won't stand for that..Yes Scrooge..Grinch.. lol Nellie Olson..How many crabapples can I name..? Enough wasted typing.No snow here yet but gloom the last few days:)She is on IG..but this recipe is not there..just TT..She is a golfer like you..her IG reflects it..
Deletehttps://www.instagram.com/nothey.itsbel/
I hung all the precious ornaments you have shared with me through the years:)
I keep looking at your Xmas box(yes it's almost ready) thinking..OH PLSE stop the strike..So many people are upset..thousands of passports .. cheques.. etc..
It's hard out there.. Things are so $$ ..people want/need more..
I love our mailman:). And my young friend I have told you about was a postmistress:)
Have a great weekend..happy TG and enjoy cozying up your beautiful home.
Thank you for the link to her on IG! Wow, she's a lefty golfer and she has a such a nice swing! Is the strike just in Quebec provence or all of Canada? Fingers crossed it will be settled soon. Never thought about how disrupting to important things such as you mentioned! With no golf here any longer, it's a perfect time for cozying and hygge. Lots of candles too. ♥♥♥
DeleteI need desperately to get some lights up, even if I can't pull off the tree for another few days. I'm so in need of the lights. I don't even need decorations (well, yet). But the lights, yes! I love your gnome and your paintings. Can't you put your stories underneath your photos here like captions? I just love them! Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteI cannot copy and paste from IG to here because my background is black... that"s ok..:). Yes get some lights up..A world of good!!
DeleteNot feeling too fancy these days, but I'll try. Going out with friends for a small Thanksgiving celebration Thursday. I have a package ready to ship, but now realize it likely won't arrive for Christmas. Hope it doesn't get lost sitting in a storage space. It's always something, right? I'm hosting a baby shower here next Saturday, so will wait to put up my tree on Sunday. I don't have large open spaces in this 1930s cottage, so will wait. It will be a sweet diversion. My sister's celebration of life will be on the 14th.
ReplyDeleteI'm focused on sprucing up the terrace containers. I'm late with the task, but had started before leaving last week. I have someone coming to help me this week. Unlike the north, we tend our gardens year round, while you put yours to sleep. I lost plants this summer with heat and drought, and haven't replaced them. Lost my window of time this fall. Enjoy your twinkle lights, dear friend.
Thank you..I am thinking of you:) We are hoping this strike will end soon..So many people and business count on snail mail..Apparently thousands and thousands of passports are stalled..Take care dear Sarah.xoxo
DeleteI don't feel Christmas this year, but I am trying to get into the spirit of things. If the days were not so rainy and dismal it would be better. I baked my Christmas cake today and some cookies yesterday. The cake smells so good. I will have to look in my old English cookbooks to see if there is a courting cake recipe in there and how it compares. People are just so nasty today. I hate that about the modern world. Very few seem to have any courtesy or compassion towards others. I love all that you share. I know that it is all exemplary and I trust you implicitly. You would never say something is good if it wasn't. I also adore your artwork. And the stories as well. Don't get me started on the Postal Strike. Pooh on them. So annoying! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI cannot sympathize with this strike.
DeleteThe timing is so bad for so many.
Tis the season.. this is so not the right time.
That courting cake is the bomb..Like many scones baked together.
Marie it's that witch again..That wicked witch of the west.
You will get in the spirit.It's up to us:)
I still love your posts, even though I've not been coming to Blogspot often. They are sparkly (the Santa elf guy!!) & they make me happy & hopeful, the way you've created beauty & joy in your life. It's Thanksgiving here & I will dress up & put up twinkle lights for my J. I'm sorry to hear about the strike. Last time we were in Québec the librarians were on stirke. Wishing you the best, Sketchbook Wandering, Rita
ReplyDeleteHappy TG Rita:) I hope all is well..Strikes seem to be de rigueur..Could be worse...Hope all is well!
DeleteCareful at the Thanksgiving table, dressing up and twinkle lights can be ruined by choking on a Turkey bone and ending up in the ER. Turkey bone shards coupled with too much alcohol are a leading cause of hospital emergency visits during the holidays, soft stuffing or dressing is probably a safer bet.
DeleteWhat an odd reply, Anonymous. We had a large TG table with all the favorite dishes, we were all very dressed up, had twinkling lights, a full turkey and alcohol and yet, we managed to have a fabulous meal with the best people on earth and no ER visits.
DeleteMonique, I so enjoy your blog, recipes, photography, paintings, information and positive outlook, what a pleasure it is to visit you here!!
Thank you and enjoy the last days of November.
Cheers, Virginia
What an odd, odd comment about people choking on turkey bones and imbibing too much alcohol.
DeleteI haven't put anything up for Christmas yet but will soon :-) As much as I love Christmas, I've been hanging on to November. I have the perfect jam already made for the courting cake, I'll make myself a note to try the cake soon when I have company. Enjoy your sparkling lights. We are headed to camp today for Christmas on Main Street, and they just got 14" of snow for everyone to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI read about your snow!! Yay for what you are doing..It is our fabulous Christmas market in our town..it's just bitter dap and grey..One mre weekend though..It's more a scone..a scone..I love that!
Deletegood one
ReplyDelete